Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Second Chance Quilts



 Quilters Are Passionate About Scraps!

There are dozens of ways to say this. You've all spoken from your hearts. 

When I last presented my dilemma with the awful term scrap vomit, and how much I disliked it, I asked for ideas to give these delicious quilts a better name. You all came through. What a list!


Scrap Vortex--(Crazy Mom Quilts)
Scrap-a-Palooza--(Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework)
Scrap-fetti
Scrap Casserole
Scrap Recess
Super Scrappy
Scrap Candy
Scraptastic
Candy Mix
Scrapnado
Happy Scrappy Bits
'made fabric'
Leftover Lunacy
Scrap Therapy
Scrap Happy
Scrap Magic
Scrap Play
Scrap Basket Fun
Simply Scrappy
Scrap Heaven
Leave it at just 'scrappy'
Blocks on Parade
Scrap Maze
Scrap Potluck
Scrap Happy
Scrappy Go Lucky
Left Over Love

As I started responding to each your comments--and didn't finish before bed, it sparked more back channeling through email. More bunny trails to follow, and more ideas even still. I said publicly to Jayne from Twiggy and Opal that I felt using some of my favorite fabrics left in scraps meant I got to enjoy those quilts I'd made, but then given away. I got a second chance at enjoying them. Her reply:

"Second Chance Quilts! Scrap...nope!"

I got goosebumps. She pointed out the obvious that I missed. Yes, they are made from scrap pieces, but we feel so good when we've hit our scrap bin, frugally using up the last pieces. It's like making sure you eat up the leftovers before they go bad. Second chance is much more positive than the term scrap. It fits.

I was given more fun things to share about these quilts, too, but I'll have to save them for the next post. I want to show you some progress first.


The backing fabric needed to be something more subdued than the busy, pieced front, and I could see a mellow blue in my mind. A trip to my local Joann's produced a bolt of Legacy Premium 108" Muslin I could get for 50% off making it $6.50 a yard. What a bargain for 108" backing! Legacy Premium is the highest grade muslin they carry, and it has almost a silky sheen. I prefer it over Roc-Lon, if you've used that.


The Beauty Marks of Hand Dyed Fabric

This product isn't what they call PFD, which is Prepared for Dyeing. Commercial fabrics are treated with sizing and optical whiteners to make them look good. These need to be removed to ensure a good chemical bond with the dyes. I scoured the fabric by machine washing hot, and then started the dye process.

I wish you could have been there while I worked to manipulate the fabric in and out of the dye. As careful as I was, I still had to wipe down splatters on surfaces 6' away. I had it processed before evening, and back home to the washer again. 


Understanding How Procion MX Dye Works

I finished with about 2.5 yards of the Legacy, and because my Procion MX dye didn't feel depleted when I had finished, I dyed a yard of Kona, and shibori dyed a narrow width. See how the color lightens as the dye is being used up. The amount of water stayed the same, but the dye particles in the water were taken out by chemically bonding with the fabric fibers. It's somewhat like eating the noodles out of chicken noodle soup, and leaving the broth.

Rain is coming down now in the early morning, and forecast for all day. What a great excuse to stay in and sew! I hope you find some time to feed your creative side today. It does wonders for the spirit. 

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.

Linking up with~



10 comments:

Linda Swanekamp said...

Love how you dye the backings. Just can't get myself to get into one more thing like dyeing. I am overwhelmed just keeping track of fabric and pieces. I love the results and the process.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

I must have missed the first post, but I laughed out loud at this one, so funny.
Thank you for sharing the dying process, it's something I have never done. It was interesting to read about the process, and I loved the bit about chicken noodle soup, very descriptive.
Smiling and laughing
Kate

Jayne said...

Second Chance quilts it is! When I dye fabric, I usually start with a piece and then after adding the soda ash, I pop in another piece knowing It will be a completely different shade. Just as you pointed out...the chicken soup effect!

Angie in SoCal said...

Second Chance Quilts! I love it!!

Kate said...

Second Chance quilts is a great way to describe those scrappy quilts. Love all those different blues you got from the one dye. They would make a great monochromatic quilt.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

what an awesome name! second chance quilts...very appropriate.

Sharon - IN said...

Of course! What a great way to refer to those quilts made from bits and pieces! Second Chance Quilts fits perfectly! And, what pretty backs you are making.

Susan said...

Second chance is much better - I like it! And nice work with the dyeing. I like how you continued until you ran out of dye - good idea.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Yep - perfect - second chance quilts!! Thats a great one

Linda said...

Love your new name for Scrap Quilts. Second Chance quilts is a lovely name. Scrap Vomit is horrible!